Cory will be joining us for WPSession #2: Building a WordPress Busness on July 13th, 2013.

Where can we find you on the internet?

My focus is on iThemes, so iThemes.com. I blog about entrepreneurship, marketing and career advice at my personal site at CoryMiller.com. Tweet @corymiller303. Oh, and if you want to see just cute pics of my adorable infant son, Caloway, then http://instagram.com/corymiller303 🙂 #proudpapa

When and how did you get started with WordPress?

In 2006 when I started a professional blog and wanted to do more with it and found WordPress. I was hooked at how easy it was and wanted to learn how to tweak my site design.

What resources to you turn to when you want to learn something new?

I eat books.

If I’m not learning, I’m dying … and reading books in particular (along with blogs) is the best way to learn new stuff.

I post my reading list here: http://corymiller.com/reading/

What is your favorite WordPress feature/aspect?

Being able to get a blog started in 5 minutes. The ease of use of WordPress has always been my favorite feature and hope that never changes. It’s what has made WordPress great.

What is your favorite business-related book and why?

I can’t pick just one, man. 🙂

I believe entrepreneurship is one of the ultimate ways to find true work-life alignment. So here are my recommendations for that.

• Start with Why by Simon Sinek — a great book to start your pursuit of purpose and passion in your work
• On Writing Well by William Zissner — foundational book on writing, if not THE best desk reference, and yes, even web designers need to write well
• Rework by Jason Fried — the new way and philosophies of work on the web
• Content Rules by Ann Handley — foundational desk reference on content that sells — order a print copy to put on your shelf and give to clients
• Do the Work by Steven Pressfield — just do it, a true motivational book we circulated throughout our entire team
• Total Money Makeoverby Dave Ramsey — get your finances straight and a healthy perspective on money so you can do what you love
• The Leadership Challenge – James Kouzes — if you’re going to have employees, start reading this now
• Never Get a ‘Real’ Job by Scott Gerber — motivation on launching your business for a younger generation
• Standout by Marcus Buckingham — learn more about yourself
• StrengthsFinder by Tom Rath — learn more about your strengths and how to use them (also great for teams)
• Success for Dummies by Zig Ziglar — just good, down home advice
• The Brand You by Tom Peters
• 12: Elements of Managing by Rodd Wager — even if you don’t manage anybody, see 12 great principles of how you and I work best
• Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No by Cloud and Townsend – establish good boundaries in your relationships and free yourself to be happy
• Crush It! by Gary V — great book to pump you up if you’re considering starting your own business
• Free Agent Nation by Dan Pink — the rise of the indepent worker
• Drive by Dan Pink — learn how instrinc motivation works … and what really motivates you in your work
• The Great Workplace: How to Build It, How to Keep It, and Why It Matters
• The Guerrilla Marketing Job Escape Plan
• Guerrilla Marketing for a Bulletproof Career
• Ignore Everybody by Hugh MacLeod – straight up great advice
• Just Start: Take Action, Embrace Uncertainty, Create the Future
• Life Entrepreneurs: Ordinary People Creating Extraordinary Lives
• The Start-up of You: Adapt to the Future, Invest in Yourself, and Transform Your Career by Reid Hoffman – the founder of LinkedIn talks about approaching your career as a startup
• Tribes by Seth Godin — tribes are everywhere – learn how to start, build and lead them
• Writing That Works: Learn How to Communicate in Business — a desk reference for your career
• The Dip by Seth Godin — when to quit or keep going
• The Janitor by Todd Hopkins — a great story about putting work and life in perspective
• Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform by Nancy Duarte
• slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations by Nancy Duarte
• Presentation Zen by Gary Reynolds
• ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett — ignore the title, these guys are the best at blogging
• Brazen Careerist: The New Rules for Success by Penelope Trunk — great, sharp, awesome career advice
• Career Renegade by Jonathan Fields

What advice do you have for others looking to become WordPress experts?

Immersion.

If you want to become an expert you have to immerse yourself in the subject. If it’s WordPress that means these things:

1. USE WordPress. Know it inside and out. Blog with it. Build sites with it.
2. Embed yourself in the community. Go to WordCamps. Meetups. Or start one in your city.
3. Bleed the brand. Champion WordPress everywhere.
4. Find problems people have with it … and solve it for them. Whether it’s a service or a product, or just installing WP for them.
5. Play nicely with others. Meaning don’t get consumed in DramaPress. This is software. It helps us do things better. Remember, it’s about people. WordPress won’t show up at your funeral. But people will.

Bonus Question: What is one interesting non-WordPress-related fact about yourself?

I’ve got 33 hours of seminary training. Extra bonus: I’m a pretty dang good snow skiier.